Sheet metal base construction for cooking ranges and the like



Dot. 3, 1944. I RlNG 2,359,491

SHEET METAL BASE CONSTRUCTION FOR COOKING RANGES' AND THE LIKE Fi led Oct. 1, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l k L 4P 2 M4 .9 37 114/ 7 44 J H. H. RING 2,359,491

SHEET METAL BASE CONSTRUCTION FOR COOKING RANGES AND THE LIKE Oct. 3, 1944.

Filed Oct. 1, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0&0 0 III I ooomuooomvooo O OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO O Patented Oct. 3, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEET METAL BASE CONSTRUCTION FOR COOKING RANGES AND THE LIKE tion of Illinois Application October 1, 1941, Serial No. 413,107

24 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved sheet metal base construction especially designed and adapted for use with cooking ranges but suitable for use with other cabinets.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a base, each end portion of which has the main body portion thereof formed from a single piece of sheet metal generally L-shaped, one leg of the L defining, a side wall for the base and the other leg of the L defining an integral front wall for the base, both leg portions being formed to channel-shaped section for strength and rigidity and so as to conceal the raw edges and present rounded upper and lower edge portions on the base, the flanges of the channel being inwardly directed from the side and front walls.

Another important object consists in the provision of a base, the L-shaped end members of which are formed from sheet metal, as just described, and have sheet metal brace pieces formed to channel-shaped section and welded by their flanges to the flanges of the L-shaped end members, the braces, in turn, serving as attaching members connectable to the bottom plate of the range and also as supporting feet to rest on the floor.

Still another object consists in the provision of a base, consisting of sheet metal L-shaped end members, as just described, each of which has a laterally directed flange on the front wall portion thereof slotted for reception of a key lug on the adjacent end of a toe plate arranged to be mounted detachably between the end members of the base to close the front opening beneath the range for better appearance, without however interfering with good ventilation under the range.

A further object consists in the provision of a base of the kind mentioned having upwardly projecting studs thereon insertible in spring clip type fasteners carried on the bottom. plate of the range for snap fastening of the base on the range, whereby to facilitate the final assembling of ranges in the display room and in the home and avoid damage such as commonly occurred where projecting legs or base portions formed rigid non-detachable projecting parts of the range. The base plate in accordance with my invention has attaching portions thereon perforated so that each stud may be entered selectively in either one of two holes differently spaced relative to the ends of the range, depending on the design of the range onto which the base is being applied, it being desired to have the base lie flush with the outside of the range regardless of difference in design.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a, perspective View of a domestic cooking range having a base made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lower portion of another range with a base thereon made in accordance with my invention; Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical sectional details through the right end lower portion of the ranges of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, showing how the same base end member is applicable to the bottom plate in either one of two positions to suit the difference in design of the ranges;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the complete base removed from the range; e

Fig. 6 is an under-side view of the bottom plate of the range, and

Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical sectional details on the lines 'I'I and 88 of Figs. 3 and 5, respectively.

Similar reference numerals are applied to. corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring first to Fig. 5, the base is indicated generally by the reference numeral 9, and comprises two end members Ill and I I for the left and right ends of the range, respectively, and an intermediate toe plate l2 which extends across the front below the range. The end members are interchangeable, as will soon appear, being substantially identical throughout except for the fact that the location of the fastening studs or dowels I3 on the top makes the one end member Ill usable only on the left hand end and the other end member II usable only on the right hand end of the range, as will soon appear. The studs I3 are, in other words, attachable to either one of two flanges on the braces or supports I4 and I5. The ranges indicated generally by the reference numerals I6 and I! in Figs. 1 and 2 each have a bottom plate I8 of rectangular form and dished, as indicated at I9, to provide a recess in the bottom of the range to accommodate the upwardly projecting studs I3 when the range is set on the base, resting on the braces I4 and I 5, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the bottom plate I8 having small attaching plates 23 welded in the so-recessed portion I9 thereof carrying spring clip fasteners 2| for connection with the studs I3.

The bottom plate I8, in accordance with the disclosure in the copending application ofstanley H. Hobson, Serial No. 311,715, filed December 30, 1939, forms a part of the welded chassis of the range, the part indicated at 22 in Figs. 3 and 4 being an inner oven Wall welded by means of its bottom flange 23 onto the top of the bottom plate. The welded chassis, as disclosed in that application, is enameled all over with porcelain enamel, and thereafter the outer jacket parts, cooking top, and so forth are applied, 24 in Fig. 3 indicating an outer oven wall and 25 insulating material, such as rock wool, between the walls 22 and 24. In like manner, 26 in Fig. 4 indicates an outer oven wall spaced from the inner oven wall 22 for the range H, the space between the walls being filled with insulating material, as indicated at 25. It will soon appear that substantially the same base is usable with either of the ranges I6 and I1 regardless of the greater overall length of the range I! resulting from its having the outer end walls 26 spaced farther from the chassis, the end members I and II being attachable to the bottom plate in either one of two positions, as'illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, so as to come flush with the outside of the range regardless of the difference in design. The base 9' for the range I1, as will soon appear, is the same as the base 9, its end members I0 and II being the same as the end members for the base 9, but its toe plate I2 being slightly longer than the toe plate I2 to compensate for the fact that the end members l0 and II are farther apart in the base 9' than in the base ;9. v

The end members In and II for the base 9 or 9' are of one-piece sheet metal construction and generally L-shaped, so as to provide a side wall 21 on one leg of the L and a front wall 28 on the other leg of the L integral therewith. Each end member has the sheet metal thereof bent to V channel-shaped section, so as to provide upper and lower flanges 29 and 30 along both legs of the L for strength and stiffness. The braces or supports I4 and I are also of one-piece sheet metal construction and bent to channel-shaped cross-section to provide upper and lower flanges 3| and 32 to lend strength and stiffness. The braces or supports I4 extend diagonally with respect to the front corners 33 and have their ends entered between the flanges 29 and on the two legs of the L, and have their flanges 3| and 32 welded to the flanges 29 and 30, as indicated at 34. Needless to say this greatly strengthens and rigidifies the base. The other braces or supports I5 are entered only at one end between the.

flanges 29 and 33 and have their top and bottom flanges 3I and 32 welded to said flanges, as indicated at 35. The braces I4 and I5 each has intermediate the ends thereof an upwardly embossed pad portion 36 formed from the flange 3|. In like manner, the bottom flange 32 has a downwardly embossed pad portion 31 formed therefrom. The upper pad portions 36 provide supports for the studs I3 which are inserted in holes 38 provided therefor in these portions, as indicated in Fig. '1. Corresponding holes 38' are provided in the other pad portions 31, as shown in a Fig. '7, so that the studs I3 can be mounted in either location depending upon whether the end member ingquestion is to be used on the left hand end or right handend of the range. The lower pad portions 31 on the various braces form supporting feet for engagement with the floor, indicated at 39. in Figs. 3 and 4. The fact that the end members are of identical construction and permit withdrawal of the lugs 41 from the slots.

advantage inasmuch as it means QWQI C 0 7.

-when the bottom plate and reduced trouble and expense all along the line. Wide surface engagement of the supporting foot portions 31 makes for easier sliding of the range and less likelihood of damage to the floor or floor covering over which the range may be moved or on which it may be set. The entire base is also of pleasing appearance, due to the fact that no raw edges of the sheet metal parts are exposed, the flanges 29 and 30 being bent inwardly as illustrated so that the upper and lower edges 40 and 4| of the side and front walls 21 and 28 are neatly rounded, as clearly appears in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 and as also indicated in Fig. 6, each has two holes 42 provided therein for entry of the stud I3 in either location. The spring clip fastener 2I provided in connection with each of these plates is fastened in place by means of a pair of screws 43, and there are two sets of holes 44 provided for these screws, one pair on opposite sides of each hole 44, as clearly appears in Fig. 6. When the bottom plate I8 is provided on a range like that shown at I6, the spring clip fastener 2! is mounted in register with the innermost hole 42, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, but I8 is used on a range like that shown at IT, the spring clip fasteners 2I are mounted in register with the outermost holes 42, as shown in Fig. 4. The studs I3 on the base 9 or 9 cooperate with the spring clip fasteners 2| in the same way in either location,

as should be evident from Figs. .3 and 4.

Laterally projecting flanges 45 are provided on the ends of the front walls 28, as shown in Fig. 5, extending toward one another from the opposite ends of the range. tical slots 46 provided therein for reception of key lugs 41 provided on the ends of the toe plate I2 or l2 in the manner shown in Fig. 8. In that way the toe plate is detachably mounted and is held securely enough to avoid any likelihood of its being accidentally displaced. On the other hand, the housewife may on occasion remove the toe plate easily by lifting the same enough to 46. The toe plate can thereafter be replaced just as easily. When the toe plate is in place between the end members Ill and II, it closes the front opening beneath the range so as to present a neat appearance without, however, interfering with free ventilation beneath the range.

' It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understandin of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn with a view to covering all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. A sheet metal base construction for a cabinet, comprising a pair of laterally spaced end members for disposition under the opposite ends of the cabinet, each of said members being formed from a single elongated piece of sheet metal bent to approximately L-shape, so as to define by one leg of the L a substantially vertical side wall below the end of the cabinet and a substantially vertical front wall below the front of the cabinet by the other leg of the L, both walls having inwardly directed longitudinal flanges on the upper ends members disposed in fore and aft spaced 4 The braces I4 and I5 are, of, course, substantially completely concealed inas- 7 These flanges have verrelationship, the rear one of each pair having one end thereof entered between the flanges on a side wall and fastened thereto, and the front one of each pair having the opposite ends thereof entered between the flanges on a side wall and adjacent front wall and fastened thereto to brace the front portion of said end members, said supports having downwardly projecting floor contacting portions and upwardly projecting cabinet contacting portions, whereby to support the cabinet on the supports more or less independently of the end members.

2. A base construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the end members has a laterally projecting substantially vertical flange formed on the front wall in rearwardly spaced relation to the front of the cabinet, the flanges on said end members projecting toward one another and having openings provided therein, and an elongated toe plate disposed with its opposite ends adjacent the end members and having fastening means for entry in said openings todemountably support the toe plate on said flanges.

3. A base construction as set forth in claim 1, including an elongated toe plate disposed beneath the front of the cabinet with the opposite ends thereof adjacent the front walls of the end members and detachably secured thereto.

4. A sheet metal base construction for a cabinet, comprising a pair of laterally spaced end members for disposition under the opposite ends of the cabinet, each of said members being formed from a single elongated piece of sheet metal bent to approximately L-shape, so as to define by one leg of the L a substantially vertical side wall below the end of the cabinet and a substantially vertical front wall below the front of the cabinet by the other leg of the L, both walls having inwardly directed longitudinal flanges on the upper and lower edges thereof for reinforcement of the member, and a pair of supports for each of said end members disposed in fore and aft spaced relationship, each of said supports being formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to channel-shaped section so as to provide a substantially vertical wall and laterally projecting upper and lower substantially horizontal reinforcing flanges, the rear one of each pair having one end thereof enteredbetween the flanges on a side wall and fastened by means of its flanges thereto, and the front one of each pair having the opposite ends thereof entered between the flanges on a side wall and adjacent front wall and fastened by means of its flanges thereto to brace the front portion of said end members, said supports having downwardly projecting floor contacting portions formed from the lower flanges thereof and upwardly projecting cabinet contacting portions formed from the upper flanges thereof, whereby to support the cabinet on the supports more or less independently of the end members.

5. A sheet metal base construction for a cablnet, comprising a pair of laterally spaced, end members for disposition under the opposite ends of the cabinet, each of said members being formed from a single elongated piece of sheet metal bent to approximately L-shape, so as to define by one leg of the L a substantially vertical side wall below the end of the cabinet and a substantially vertical front wall below the front of the cabinet by the other leg of the L, both wall having inwardly directed longitudinal flanges on the upper and lower edges thereof for reinforcement of the member, a pair of supports for each of said end members disposed in fore and aft spaced relationship, the rear one of each pair having one end thereof entered between the flanges on a side wall and fastened thereto, and the front one of each pair having the opposite ends thereof entered between the flanges on a side wall and adjacent front wall and fastened thereto to brace the front portion of said end members, and means for attaching the supports to the bottom of a cabinet and'thereby connnect the end members to the cabinet for support of the cabinet on the supports.

6. A sheet metal base construction for a cabinet, comprising a pair of laterally spaced end members for disposition under the opposite ends of the cabinet, each of said members being formed from a single elongated piece. of sheet metal bent to approximately L-shape, so as to define by one leg of the L a substantially vertical side wall below the end of the cabinet and a sbstantially vertical front wall below the front of the cabinet by the other leg of the L, both walls having inwardly directed longitudinal flanges on the upper and lower edges thereof for reinforcement of the member, apair of supports for each of said end members disposed in fore and after spaced relationship, each of said supports being formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to channelshaped section so as to provide a substantially vertical wall and laterally projecting upper and 1 lower substantially horizontal reinforcing flanges,

the rear one of each pair having one end thereof entered between the flanges on a side wall and fastened by means of its flanges thereto, and the front one of each pair having the opposite ends 1 thereof entered between the flanges on a side wall the cabinet having a downwardly projecting marginal flange defining a recess on the bottom of said plate, attaching plates spaced from the bottom plate in the recess having upwardly bent portions secured to said bottom plate, the attaching plates each having an opening provided therein, supporting base members for the cabinet disposed under the bottom plate and adapted to rest on the floor, the same having portions for abutment with the bottom of the attaching plates to support the cabinet thereon, and means provid ing a quickly attachable connection between the base members and bottom plate comp-rising upwardly projecting studs on those portions of the base members engaging the attaching plates arranged to project through the openings in the at taching plates, and spring clip fasteners mounted on the upper sides of said attaching plates below the bottom plate in register with the openings in.

, the attaching plates for detachable engagement therein of the aforesaid studs.

8. A base construction as set forth in claim 7, in which each of the attaching plates has an other opening provided therein in laterally spaced relation to the first named opening, the studs on the base members being engageable selectively in either one of said openings for disposition of the base members in different locations with respect to the bottom plate, the spring clip fasteners being detachably' secured to the attaching plates and being mounted thereon to receive the studs.

9. In a base construction for cabinets, the com-v bination of a bottom plate for the cabinet, end members for the base, each being of L-shaped form to provide a side wall on one leg of the L extending from front to back of the cabinet under the ends thereof and a front wall on the other leg of the L for disposition under the front end portions of the cabinet, the last mentioned legs of the two end members projecting toward one another from opposite ends of the cabinet and having rearwardly projecting portions on their inner ends formed to provide toe plate attaching portions thereon in rearwardly spaced relation to the front of the cabinet, means for detachably securing the end members to the bottom plate, an elongated toe plate extending across the front below the cabinet between the end members, and means for detachably securing the opposite ends of said toe plate to the attachin portions on the last mentioned legs of the end members. a

10. As an article of manufacture, a sheet metal base construction for a cabinet comprising a pair of sheet metal supporting base members for use under opposite ends of the cabinet, each comprising a one-piece, L-shaped, sheet metal body member providing substantially vertical walls on the two legs of the L under two adjoining sides of the cabinet, the end of one leg being bent inwardly substantially into parallelism to the other leg to provide a support for the end of another base member, and a brace connecting the inner end portion of said support portion and the said other leg of said body member to maintain rigid spaced relationship therebetween.

11. As an article of manufacture, a sheet metal base construction for a cabinet comprising a pair of sheet metal supporting base members for use under opposite ends of the cabinet, each comprising a one-piece, L-shaped, sheet metal body member providing substantially vertical walls on the two legs of the L under two adjoining sides of the cabinet, the two walls having upper and lower longitudinal flanges bent inwardl for reinforcement of the L-shaped body member, and a brace for the body member extending diagonally from the free end portion of the one leg of the L to the other leg of the L with the end portions of the brace disposed between the flanges on said legs and secured thereto.

12. As an article of manufacture, a sheet metal base construction for a cabinet comprising a pair of sheet metal supporting base members for use under opposite ends of the cabinet, each comprising a one-piece, L-shaped, sheet metal body member providing substantially vertical Walls on the two legs of the L under two adjoining sides of the cabinet, the tWo walls having upper and lower longitudinal flanges bent inwardly for reinforcement of the 'L-shaped body member, and a brace for the body member extending diagonally from the free end portion of the one leg of the L to the other leg of the L with the end portions of the brace disposed between the flanges on said legs and secured thereto, the brace bein formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to channel-shaped cross-section so as to provide upper and lower flanges for engagement with the upper and lower flanges on the legs of the L-shaped body member, the abutting flanges being secured together.

of sheet metal supporting base members for use 7 under opposite ends of the cabinet, each comprising a one-piece, L-shaped, sheet metal body member providing substantially vertical walls on the two legs of the L under two adjoining sides of the cabinet, the two walls having upper and lower longitudinal flanges bent inwardly for reinforcement of the L-shaped body member, and a brace for the body member extending diagonally from the free end portion of the one leg of the L to the other leg of the L with the end portions of the brace disposed between the flanges on said legs and secured thereto, the brace bein formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to channel-shaped cross-section so as to provide upper and lower flanges for engagement with the upper and lower flanges on the legs of the L- shaped body member, the abutting flanges being I secured together, the upper flange on the brace having an upwardly embossed portion to define a substantially horizontal pad portion and the lower flange of the brace having a downwardly embossed portion to define another substantially horizontal pad portion, one of said pad portions being adapted to contact the floor under a cabinet when the base construction is in use and the other of said pad portions being adapted to contact the bottom of a cabinet for support of the cabinet on the brace.

14. As an article of manufacture, a sheet metalbase construction for a cabinet comprising a pair of sheet metal supporting base'members forruse under opposite ends of the cabinet, each comprising a one-piece, L-shaped, sheet metal body member providing substantially vertical walls on the two legs of the L undertwo adjoining sides of the cabinet, the two walls having upper and net, comprising a pair of laterally spaced end members for disposition under the opposite ends of the cabinet, each of said members being formed from a single elongated piece of sheet metal bent to approximately L-shape, so as to define by one leg of the L a substantially vertical side wall be: low the end of the cabinet and a substantially vertical front wall below the front of the cabinet by the other leg of the L, both walls havin inwardly directed longitudinal flanges thereon for reinforcement of the member, and a brace for each of said end members having the opposite ends thereof engaging the flanges on a side wall and adjacent front wall of said end member and fastened thereto, each brace being constructed and arranged with respect to the associated end member so as to support the cabinet on the grace more or less independently of the end mem- 16. A sheet metal base construction for a cabinet, comprising a pair of laterally spaced end members for disposition under the opposite ends,

of the cabinet, each of said members being formed from a single elongated piece of sheet metal bent to approximately L-shape, so as to define by one leg of the L a substantially vertical side wall below the end of the cabinet and a substantially vertical front wall below the front of the cabinet by the other leg of the L, and a cabinet support member attached at one end to the inner side of each of said end members and projecting inwardly therefrom, each support member being constructed and arranged with respect to the associated end member so as to support the cabinet thereon substantially independently of the end member.

17. A sheet metal base construction for a cabinet, comprising a sheet metal enclosing framework for disposition under the cabinet, and a plurality of cabinet supporting members disposed in spaced relationship inside said framework attached at their ends to the framework and projecting inwardly therefrom, said supporting members being constructed and arranged so as to support the cabinet thereon, the framework serving to hold the supporting members against tilting and displacement from operative position.

18. A base construction for a cabinet, comprising a pair of laterally spaced end members for disposition under the opposite end portions of the cabinet, each of said end members comprising a pair of cabinet supports in fore and aft spaced relationship and a generally L-shaped sheet metal body member, one leg of the L being appreciably elongated to reach substantially the full length of the end of the cabinet to form an enclosing end wall therebeneath, the other leg of the L being relatively short and forming a front enclosing wall beneath the end portion of the cabinet, the L-shaped body member being fixed to the cabinet supports to hold said supports against tilting and against displacement from operative position, the L-shaped body being supported on said cabinet supports in slightly elevated relation to the floor when the supports are resting on the floor.

19. A base construction as set forth in claim 18, including an elongated toe plate disposed beneath the front of the cabinet with the opposite ends thereof adjacent the front walls of the end members and detachably secured thereto.

20. A sheet metal base construction for a cabinet, comprising a pair of laterally spaced end members for disposition under the opposite ends of the cabinet, each of said members being formed from a single elongated piece of sheet metal bent to approximately L-shape, so as to define by one leg of the L a substantially vertical side wall below the end of the cabinet and a substantially vertical front wall below the front of the cabinet by the other leg of the L, both walls having inwardly directed longitudinal flanges on the upper and lower edges thereof for reinforcement of the member, and a pair of cabinet supports associated with each of said end members and disposed in fore and aft spaced relation and having portions extending between the flanges on the L-shaped end members and secured to said flanges, the supports having bottom portions for contact with the floor and top portions for contact with the bottom of the cabinet, whereby to support the cabinet on said supports, the end members serving to hold said supports in operative position while enclosing and concealing said supports.

21. A base construction as set forth in claim 20, including an elongated toe plate disposed beneath the front of the cabinet with the opposite ends thereof adjacent the front walls of the end members and detachably secured thereto.

22. In a base construction for cabinets, the combination of a bottom plate for the cabinet, end members for the base, each being of L- shaped form to provide a side wall on one leg of the L extending from front to back of the cabinet under the ends thereof and a front wall on the other leg of the L for disposition under the front end portions of the cabinet, the last mentioned legs of the two end members projecting toward one another from opposite ends of the cabinet and having rearwardly projecting portions on their inner ends formed to provide toe plate attaching portions thereon in rearwardly spaced relation to the front of the cabinet, means for detachably securing the end members to the bottom plate, an elongated toe plate extending across the front below the cabinet between the end members, means for detachably securing the opposite ends of said toe plate to the attaching portions on the last mentioned legs of the end members, and cabinet support members attached to the inner side of said end members and extending inwardly therefrom and adapted to have abutment on the top thereof with the bottom of a cabinet and to have abutment on the bottom thereof on a flooror other supporting surface.

23. A base construction for a cabinet, comprising enclosing base members for disposition under the cabinet, and a plurality of cabinet supporting members disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the inner side of said base members and attached at their ends to said base members and projecting inwardly therefrom, said supporting members being constructed and arranged so as to support the cabinet thereon, said base members serving to hold the supporting members against dis-placement from operative position while enclosing and concealing the same from View from outside the cabinet.

24. A base construction for a cabinet, comprising, in combination, a bottom plate for the cabinet having attaching portions in which openings are provided in a .predetermned spaced relationship adapted to receive dowels, enclosing base members for disposition under the cabinet, a plurality of cabinet supporting members disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the inner side of said enclosing base members and attached thereto and projecting inwardly therefrom, and dowels projecting upwardly from said cabinet supporting members for detachable engagement in the first mentioned openings, said supporting members being constructed and arranged so as to support the cabinet thereon, said base members serving to hold the supporting members against displacement from operative position and maintaining the dowels in a predetermined spaced relationship corresponding to the space relationship of the first mentioned openings, whereby to facilitate entry of the dowels in the openings.

HAROLD H. RING. 

